You’ve seen them. Those weird, shimmering little glints of gold tucked into dark corners or sitting right in the middle of a busy market. Honestly, at first, most players just walk right past them thinking they’re just background flavor or a weird Magla effect. They aren't. They’re basically the most important collectible in Metaphor: ReFantazio, and if you aren’t actively hunting them, you're missing out on some of the most broken gear in the game.
Look, collecting all 50 isn't just about a trophy. It’s about getting the Dragon's Fall sword and the Flameseal Corselet. We're talking 400 ATK weapons and armor that nullifies fire. But the game doesn’t exactly hold your hand here. Some of these bugs are locked behind specific dates, others are inside dungeons you might never visit, and three of them? Yeah, those are missable. If you miss them, you’re done. No going back unless you’ve got a backup save or start New Game Plus.
The Missables You Can't Ignore
Let’s talk about the ones that will actually ruin your completionist run. Most Metaphor ReFantazio gold beetle locations are evergreen—you can go back and grab them whenever. But three of them have strict "now or never" windows.
First is the Northern Border Fort. This happens right at the start of the game on 6/5. When you’re at the Mountain Forest Camp with Strohl and Grius, look behind Strohl near a tree. If you leave that camp without it, it’s gone forever. You can't fast travel back to a story-specific campsite.
The second one is tied to a quest called "Dental Distress" in Port Brilehaven. You need to talk to the Sullen Man on Seabreeze Street. The deadline is 8/9. If you don't finish that quest by then, the beetle is gone.
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The final missable is in the Ancient Eldan Sanctum, specifically the Plaza of Light. You’ll be here around 9/24. Check the dead-end path to the right, behind a ruined wooden house. Since this is a late-game story area you can't revisit, you have to grab it while the plot is moving.
Why You're Hunting These Things Anyway
You don't just keep these beetles in your pocket to look at. You need to find the Elderly Entomophile. He’s in Port Brilehaven, but you won't see him immediately. You have to take the ferry to the Arenafront Wharf. He’s a weird old guy obsessed with the Magla inside the insects.
The rewards are tiered. Here is the breakdown of what he gives you for your trouble:
- 1 Beetle: Arcane Dragonblood (Full MP restore for the party. This is a lifesaver in the final dungeons.)
- 12 Beetles: Venomward Charm (Prevents all physical status ailments like Poison and Paralysis.)
- 25 Beetles: Claw Breakers (Strength +6 and resists Slash damage.)
- 38 Beetles: Flameseal Corselet (350 DEF and literally nullifies Fire damage.)
- 46 Beetles: Dragon's Fall (A 400 ATK sword that deals massive damage to dragons.)
After you hit 46, any extra beetles you turn in—there are 50 total—just get you more Dragonblood. Since you only need 46 for the "All That Glitters" trophy, you have a tiny bit of breathing room if you missed one of the tricky ones.
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Deep Dive into the Region Locations
Finding these isn't always about looking on the floor. Sometimes you have to interact with objects.
Grand Trad and Surroundings
In the Royal Capital, check the Recruitment Centre. There’s a beetle tucked in a hallway to the left of the dispatcher. Also, go to the Comfort Concoctions shop. You have to actually interact with the Bag of Spices to find one.
Funny enough, some of these don't appear until later. One beetle in the Grand Trad market only shows up after 8/3, and another one in the spice shop is blocked by pots until 8/19. If you're looking for the one in the Tradia Desert, it's by a large rock in the middle of the map. In the Belega Corridor, you have to find a crawlspace on the bottom floor to reach a hidden room with two chests—the beetle is just hanging out there.
Martira and Brilehaven
Martira is sneakier. Go to the Visca Alba Tavern and check the fireplace. Then, go to the guest room and drink the water from the jug on the table. Seriously. You have to drink it, and the beetle essentially flies into your mouth.
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Over in Port Brilehaven, check the Merchant’s Bazaar. There’s an alleyway to the left of the Black Cat's Claw shop. Another one is right outside the Recruitment Centre entrance, hidden behind a carriage. If you go to the Arenafront Wharf where the bug collector is, head up the ramp in the northeast corner near some wooden boxes to find another.
Virga Island and Altabury Heights
Once you reach the Village of Pagans, start climbing. There’s one behind the Golden Deer Hearth tavern and another on the upper walkway near the Chief’s House. Don’t forget the Sandy Coast near your Gauntlet Runner; check behind the crates.
Altabury Heights has some of the most "hidden in plain sight" locations. There is one on the right-hand sidewalk of Lunlumo Approach. Another is in the Whitepeaks Magic Shop, but only at night—you have to check the cauldron furthest from the counter. There’s also one at the very end of the massive bridge near the Opera House that literally leads to nowhere.
Pro Tips for the Hunt
If you’re struggling to see them, wait until night. The gold glow is much more obvious against the dark textures of the towns. Also, in dungeons, the beetles actually show up as item markers on your map. If you see a blue item dot on your mini-map but you're standing on top of it and see nothing, look for a crawlspace. They love hiding these things in "secret" rooms.
Check every shop. Not just for gear, but for interactable bags and pots. The developers at Studio Zero really liked hiding these in sacks of grain or spice. If a shop has a prompt that isn't "Buy" or "Talk," click it.
Your Next Steps
- Check your calendar: If it's before 8/9, get to Port Brilehaven and finish "Dental Distress."
- Visit the Entomophile: Even if you only have 10 beetles, turn them in to get the MP items early.
- Backtrack to Grand Trad: If you’re past August, go back to the spice shop and the Cathedral market to grab the beetles that weren't there in June.
Don't stress about getting all 50 perfectly on your first try unless you're a total perfectionist. Since you only need 46 for the best rewards, you can afford to be a little lazy. Just make sure you get those missable ones, or you'll be kicking yourself 80 hours into the game.